LifeChange addiction recovery grad featured in new book

In 2005, Carl was in the sack lunch line, waiting for a meal with about 200 other people. Battling addiction, and homeless again, Carl was hoping for a meal and knew Missions were a safe, good place to come for help. In addition to his sack lunch, Carl found out about Union Gospel Mission's LifeChange addiction recovery community. He joined that day.  After years of struggle to heal, grow in his relationship with Christ, and transform his life, Carl graduated in 2009.

That same year, Carl was awarded the Ford Family Foundation ReStart Scholarship.  This prestigious award led Tom Hallman, a veteran features reporter at The Oregonian, to interview Carl for a story. From that interview, a personal connection developed and Tom sought out Carl as what he called a “faith teacher” in Tom’s book about the power of faith, "A Stranger's Gift: True Stories of Faith in Unexpected Places" which is available for sale today.

Not only did Tom chronicle the stories of Carl, and 12 others,  Tom himself went from a non-believing skeptic to a growing believer! Tom's journey is also part of the book.

Today, Carl is a senior at Portland State University and a full time staff member at Union Gospel Mission.

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